The Seattle Seahawks have been sold to a group led by Vinod Khosla for a record price of $9.6 billion, marking the highest sale price for an NFL franchise and the second-highest valuation in North American sports history. The sale was unanimously approved by NFL owners during a special meeting in Atlanta on July 11, 2026, following a recommendation from the league’s finance and ownership policy committees. The sale aligns with the wishes of the late team owner, Paul Allen, who passed away in 2018. Allen's estate had stipulated that the team be sold and that the proceeds be distributed to various charities.
Vinod Khosla expressed gratitude for the opportunity to own the franchise, stating, "How often do you get to buy a franchise that just won the Super Bowl? We are incredibly lucky and humbled by this gift, I would say, from the Allen trust." Khosla emphasized a long-term approach to ownership, aiming to maintain the team's success and pursue additional championships.
The Seahawks were sold for a price that surpasses the previous record set by the Washington Commanders, which sold for approximately $6 billion in 2023. The Los Angeles Lakers hold the record for the highest sale in North American sports history, having been sold for $10 billion last year.
Paul Allen acquired the Seahawks for $194 million in 1997 and played a key role in keeping the team in Seattle. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell noted that Khosla's experience as a limited partner of the San Francisco 49ers made the transaction appealing to other NFL owners. Khosla will need to divest his stake in the 49ers as part of the agreement to purchase the Seahawks.
Khosla, a venture capitalist and co-founder of Sun Microsystems, will have his wife Neeru Khosla as the controlling owner, with their son Neal expected to play a significant role in the organization. Khosla shared his long-standing passion for football, mentioning his history as a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and his family's attendance at 49ers games.